Hoyer Statement on LGBT Pride Month

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on LGBT Pride Month, which is observed throughout the month of June:

“For LGBT Americans and their families, this year’s Pride Month comes at a particularly hopeful moment for LGBT equality in America. From support for same-sex marriage growing across the country, to this week’s federal circuit court ruling that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, to the end of the military’s discriminatory ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy last year, there is a real and tangible sense that our nation is moving closer to full equality.

“As we mark these gains, we continue to be mindful that discrimination and the denial of rights still casts a shadow over the movement for equality and acceptance for the LGBT community, such as young people experiencing bullying because of their sexual orientation. We must continue to be a source of hope for them by reaffirming the dignity of every individual and every family, and ensure that our laws and practices do so as well.

“I join in marking June as LGBT Pride Month and in recognizing the contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Americans to our national life throughout our history. May we continue to strengthen our country by working toward achieving greater equality together.”